Can An Android Phone Replace My IPhone? I Found Out

As a huge Apple fan, I was surprised when I received the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE for review and found myself loving it. Can Samsung affect me? Here's what I wished I knew when I got the Galaxy S23 FE. This 'vented' smartphone, which we just tested in our Samsung Galaxy S23 FE review, offers many of the same features as the other Galaxy S23 models, but at a slightly lower price.

"My phone has always been the latest iPhone Pro. That usually means buying the Pro Max model, which I did again this year with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I didn't expect the Galaxy S23 FE to hold up as well as my new iPhone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple's is twice the price. And it has better specs.

However, I wanted to know if the S23 FE has enough features to allow me to seamlessly perform everyday tasks like checking email, making phone calls, browsing the web, watching multiple videos, etc. Will the S23 FE last? Pretty good, though one major thing is holding me back.

What I like about this Android phone

Samsung used to make products like smartphones. While some of these products have been well received, others have not. For example, the Galaxy S20 FE received a lot of praise in 2020, including being named the "phone under $700" by Digital Trends. However, when the Galaxy S21 FE 5G was launched, it received less positive reviews, with reviewers noting that "later parts were never that good." Perhaps it was the poor reception of the S21 FE 5G that convinced Samsung not to launch the S22 FE. However, it seems worth upgrading to the S23 FE as the phone has a lot of great features.

The first thing you'll notice about the Galaxy S23 FE is its stunning 6.4-inch 2X AMOLED dynamic display with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. The S23 FE's display delivers bright, sharp images and vibrant colors. The Galaxy S23 FE's screen is larger than the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23 and smaller than the 6.6-inch Galaxy S23 Plus.

The iPhone Pro series has had a 120Hz refresh rate for years, and unfortunately, the same can't be said about regular iPhones. Like their predecessors, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus run at 60Hz.

I've always been impressed by the variety of color options available on Android devices, especially those made by Samsung Unlike Apple, which usually offers traditional color options for its iPhones, Samsung continues to offer brighter and more attractive options.

For example, the Galaxy S23 FE has great color options. In addition to the usual Graphite and Cream, you can buy the phone in Mint, Lilac (the color of my review unit) and exclusively through Samsung.com, Tangerine and Indigo. Of course, like most people, you probably put a case on your new smartphone when you made your purchase. Anyway, nice to know there's something unique inside!

Just look at the purple S23 FE; Impressive, isn't it?

This brings us to the S23 FE chip. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip in the US, compared to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip found in other S23 models. (The Exynos 2200 chip is in the S23 FE in other regions.)

Samsung's decision to opt for Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 over Gen 2 in the S23 FE will no doubt turn heads because the latter is better. This is probably one area where the company shouldn't skip shortcuts, especially since the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known for overheating due to excessive use.

While using the Galaxy S23 FE, I didn't experience any major performance issues in daily tasks. It handles tasks like checking emails, sending text messages, opening multiple tabs in Google Chrome, watching YouTube videos and playing basic games downloaded from Google Play without any hiccups.

Looking at the S23 FE's cameras, it's worth noting that the phone has a triple camera setup on the back, just like Samsung phones. These include a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and an 8MP telephoto camera. There is a 10-megapixel fixed-focus front camera. I didn't spend a lot of time taking photos with my review unit because I knew the reviewer would. My goal was to see what Samsung offers at this price point.

Comparing S23 FE camera specifications with iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus camera specifications, it is noticeable that S23 FE specifications are slightly better. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have a dual camera system: a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 12-megapixel TrueDepth front camera.

Surprisingly, Samsung chose not to add an autofocus feature like the iPhone on more expensive phones.

Can Samsung improve?

I have no major complaints about the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, but there are a few areas that give me pause.

First, the bezels are a bit thicker than other S23 models. The device has an older version of Gorilla Glass protection, which means the screen may become less protective over time.

However, Samsung's decision to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in this model may be the biggest flaw. This chip is almost two generations old, and while I haven't experienced any performance issues during day-to-day work, it's worth noting that this chip is notorious for generating excessive heat in overclocking situations. If you plan to use the phone for watching lots of 4K videos and not just casual games, look elsewhere.

Apple fans rule

There's a lot I like about the S23 FE, from the bright screen to the unique color selection and particularly good camera performance. I was also satisfied with the build quality of the phone. However, in long-term use I will probably get bored with its old chipset. There is an operating system.

I've been using an iPhone for years and have gotten used to iOS. On the other hand, I don't like Android, regardless of version. It's much harder to use, doesn't offer the same level of fun, and the Google Play Store feels more like the Wild West Android is reason enough not to consider ditching your iPhone, though I can understand the appeal of many choosing Android over iOS.

Here's my conclusion: If you're currently using an Android phone and planning to upgrade, I'd suggest you consider the S23 FE. Although it lacks the great features found in other S23 models, it has all the features you need and comes at a low price, making it good value for money. If you're an iPhone fan like me, it won't change your mind about Android, but it's a decent alternative for everyone else.